Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Salisbury 3 Slimbridge 0

SLIMBRIDGE'S run of defeats stretched to six games, after another battling performance was undone by better finishing from their opponents.

Salisbury had a massive slice of luck early on when Taurean Roberts’ cross caught the wind and sailed over Keeper Pete Davies to put the hosts ahead early, but it was not until the last 15 minutes that two further goals secured the points for home side, who looked a lot more uncomfortable than the scoreline might suggest.

In front of a crowd numbering 545, Salisbury pressed well early early on, and earned a series of corners in the first five minutes, but their efforts were restricted to a Roberts shot that was blasted well too high.

Two minutes later, Roberts saw his cross from the left flank drift in at the far corner to put Salisbury ahead.

Brandon Munday had a great opportunity to double the advantage a minute later, but Davies saved well when the Striker was one on one with the Swans Keeper.

The games developed into much of a stalemate as both teams struggled to deliver any meaningful final balls - Roberts had another effort off target for the home side, while Dean Turner’s effort on 19 minutes was too high.

On 24 minutes, a massive scramble in the Slimbridge box saw another Salisbury effort go to waste, while Adam Mace and Brad Martin were working hard to create opportunities without any real success, leaving Salisbury a goal to the good at the break.

Salisbury Manager Steve Claridge, who watched the entire game from the lofty position of the Press Box, obviously had a few words with his players at half time, and they came out of the traps after the interval.

A free kick from Lewis Benson two minutes into the secodn period saw a game of pinball take place in the Slimbridge box before the ball was cleared, and Thomas Wright was just off target with his header from Thomas Whelan’s cross a minute later.

Benson and Justin Bennett then had efforts blocked as the home side pressed, until Slimbridge started to edge back into the game.

On 56 minutes, the visitors had their best chance of the game when Martin put Jack Sklenar through one on one with Portsmouth Loanee Keeper Alexander Bass, but Sklenar couldn’t get enough lift on his effort, and Bass made a save to keep the hosts’ lead.

The better chances were still being created by the home side, and Roberts was wide with another headed effort, before after a neat one two with Whelan, his shot was blocked by an excellent challenge from Sam Turl.

On 73 minutes, the second goal came for Salisbury, when a cross from Eddie Perrett fond it’s way to Salisbury captain Kane O’Keefe, and he lofted the ball over Davies to double the advantage.

Ten minutes later, Roberts took advantage of too much space in the Slimbridge box to drill home the third, and finally put the game to bed.

Davies was called into action again in the third minute of stoppage time, when he made a good stop from Benson, but the Swans ‘Month of Death' now moves onto next weekend, when fifth placed Taunton Town come to Thornhill Park.

The Swans next two games after that feature a visit to third placed Evesham United (25th February, 3.00pm) before they entertain second placed Tiverton Town (1st March 7.45pm)

Team: Davies, Turl, Ryan Thwaite, Grimes, Rich Thwaite, Turner, Smith, Twyman, Sklenar (Thomas 59), Martin, Mace (Stokes 63) Supporters Man of the Match Nick Grimes